Managing daily operations is a much smoother process with church management software.
Church management includes a wide variety of activities, including event management related to weddings or prayer events, member engagement, and finance management. Efficient handling of each of these activities is important for a church like yours to reach its goals and thrive. This is where church management software can help.
Church management software is a cloud-based tool that helps administrators and pastors to organize the daily operations of a church or any other religious organization.
The software helps automate routine tasks related to church administration, such as reporting and coordination, keeping tabs on contributions, facilitating communication, as well as managing contact information and data.
This article highlights nine of the best free church management software options, presented alphabetically. (To see how we selected these products, read our methodology at the bottom of this article.)
See the full list of free church management tools in Capterra’s software directory.
1. Bitrix24: Offers a dedicated module for church management
Bitrix24 is an online software that offers a dedicated module for church management that allows users to manage administrative processes and donations. The tool also helps you manage the church directory and contact information for an unlimited number of members.
In addition to the above, the tool offers multiple features, such as opinion polling, group chats, and video conferencing to facilitate communication between members and volunteers.
You can also use Bitrix24 to gain complete insights into contributions, upcoming events, and the internal processes of your church.
Bitrix24 has a mobile app for both iOS and Android devices.
Key Features
- Account management
- Agenda management
- Applicant tracking
- Appointment management
- Attendance tracking
- Attendee management
Trial/Free Version
- Free Trial
- Free Version
Starting price:
Support options
Device compatibility
Screenshots
Task management in Bitrix24 (Source)
2. Chmeetings: Provides bulk messaging to facilitate event coordination
Chmeetings is an online church management solution with an advanced search feature that enables users to access data quickly and then convert the data into actionable reports. The software allows you to import vital information from spreadsheets to a centralized database, build custom member profiles, track attendance history, and schedule follow-ups.
As a Chmeetings user, you can send messages to members in bulk. This is especially useful when you have important events coming up or important announcements to make. The software offers multiple user accounts, without the need for separate login credentials. Administrators can also add access restrictions for users to enhance security.
The platform features an activity dashboard that allows users to track member participation and coordinate events.
Chmeetings has a mobile app for both iOS and Android users.
Key Features
- Attendance tracking
- Donation management
- Event management
- Member communication
- Membership management
- Small group management
Trial/Free Version
- Free Trial
- Free Version
Starting price
Support options
Device compatibility
Screenshots
Dashboard overview in Chmeetings (Source)
3. ChurchTrac: Features smart lists to facilitate member management
ChurchTrac is a cloud-based church management software that enables users to manage people, events, volunteer support, and contributions among other activities. As a ChurchTrac user, you can keep track of member data, including contact and attendance details. You can also use the software to print directories, update records, track calendar events, and send reminders for important events.
The platform offers a smart list feature that allows you to quickly divide people into categories depending on a given set of criteria. For instance, you can use this feature to group members and non-members. Users can either create their own smart list or use the pre-set smart list options of the software.
In addition to member management, ChurchTrac allows you to accept and manage online donations. The software allows users to generate contribution reports and print statements. It also provides for financial management, which includes tracking and managing the budget and accounts of the church.
Key Features
- Asset tracking
- Attendance tracking
- Bank reconciliation
- Budgeting/Forecasting
- Donation management
- Event management
Trial/Free Version
- Free Trial
- Free Version
Starting price
Support options
Device compatibility
Screenshots
Giving statement in ChurchTrac (Source)
4. Clearstream: Allows for mobile text-based communication
Clearstream is an online tool that facilitates communication amongst the members of the church, regardless of its size. As a Clearstream user, you can organize contacts into specific groups, track incoming/outgoing messages, notify members about last-minute changes, share personalized messages, and even send emergency notifications to relevant contacts.
You can also use Clearstream to connect with first-time guests using a unique text-to-join keyword. The guest needs to enter this keyword and fill out a short digital connect card. Once this is done, they get added to the community automatically, and there is no need to manually enter their information into subsequent church meetings.
The platform offers advanced texting features, including five-digit short codes and 10-digit long codes to send and receive messages. It integrates well with several third-party applications, including Planning Center, MailChimp, and Slack.
Clearstream has a mobile app for both iOS and Android users.
Key Features
- Event management
- Member communication
- Member directory
- Membership management
- Mobile access
- Volunteer management
Trial/Free Version
- Free Trial
- Free Version
Starting price
Support options
Device compatibility
Screenshots
Tracking live metrics in Clearstream (Source)
5. Continue to Give: Provides fundraising tools to help with giving
Continue to Give is an online fundraising platform for churches and missionaries. The software provides donation tools to users which allows them to collect donations across multiple platforms, such as fundraising events or social media crowdfunding.
As a Continue to Give user, you can integrate your software with social media websites to encourage giving via easy QR codes or “text-to-give” options.
If you are a donor, you can use the software to schedule recurring donations using a variety of payment methods, update your payment options, and generate receipts.
Some of the notable features of the software include campaign management, donation tracking, and event management.
Continue to Give has a mobile app for both iOS and Android users.
Key Features
- Accounting integration
- Campaign management
- Contribution tracking
- Donation management
- Donor management
- Gift matching management
Trial/Free Version
- Free Trial
- Free Version
Starting price
Support options
Device compatibility
Screenshots
Dashboard overview in Continue to Give (Source)
6. eDisciples: Offers rosters and task functionality for event management
eDisciples is a church management platform that provides tools to facilitate member and event management. The software allows you to import your pre-existing spreadsheets into eDisciples and filter members based on custom fields. It also reminds you of important dates by way of email or push notifications.
In addition to managing databases, the software helps streamline communication between members with the help of advanced features, such as voice notes and delivery receipts. In addition, as an eDisciples user, you can schedule messages in advance and send them to the targeted recipients at a later date or time.
The software also offers rosters and task functionality that allows you to assign duties to members and volunteers during events.
Lastly, eDisciples allows you to track donations and view the progress of the church with the help of detailed insight reports.
eDisciples has a mobile app for both Android and iOS users.
Key Features
- Built-in accounting
- Child check-in
- Donation management
- Event management
- Member portal
- Online giving
Trial/Free Version
- Free Trial
- Free Version
Starting price
Support options
Device compatibility
Screenshots
Managing member database in eDisciples (Source)
7. Faithlife Giving: Create flexible donation plans to encourage recurring giving
Faithlife Giving is an online church accounting software that allows users to manage the finances of the church, including donations and gifts. The software enables users to set up and manage recurring gifts, which can be scheduled on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis. It also features an interactive dashboard that allows you to evaluate giving trends over a selected period of time.
As a Faithlife Giving user, you can create several types of funds, including benevolence, mission, and campaign. By using a drag-and-drop interface, you can view contribution history for each type of giving.
The software allows you to receive payments via multiple methods, such as credit/debit cards and bank transfers. Administrators can use the tool to generate and distribute tax receipts as well.
Faithlife Giving has a mobile app for both Android and iOS users.
8. Planning Center: Features check-in tool for management of church events
Planning Center is a church management solution that allows administrators to maintain member records, process online donations, conduct background checks on volunteers, and coordinate church events.
The software offers a check-in tool that allows you to check your guests in and out of an event by using a phone number or a barcode scanner. The tool also provides for child check-in, which means that you can simply match the code on the children’s name tags to their guardian’s labels and keep the parents informed of their children’s whereabouts during an event, send emergency texts, and ensure safe pick-ups. In addition to the check-in tool, the software features a resource app that allows users to publish calendars and make room reservations for the event.
As a Planning Center user, you can maintain a donor database and count physical donations as well. The church management system features a giving app that can be used to accept and process donations, track activities, and issue statements.
Planning Center has a mobile app for both Android and iOS users.
Key Features
- Attendance tracking
- Child check-in
- Donation management
- Event management
- Member directory
- Membership management
Trial/Free Version
- Free Trial
- Free Version
Starting price
Support options
Device compatibility
Screenshots
Setting schedule preferences in Planning Center (Source)
9. Tithe.ly: Provides multi-campus support for managing donations
Tithe.ly is an online giving solution designed for churches of all sizes. The software offers a range of giving options, including debit/credit cards and ACH bank account transfers, and provides donors with the flexibility to set up one-time or recurring donations. You can also use Tithe.ly to donate via text or kiosks.
The software provides donors with the ability to contribute to different organizations using separate bank accounts and track their donations using the multi-campus configuration feature. Donors, upon making a payment, receive an instant invoice stating the amount and the organization to which they have donated.
As a Tithe.ly user, you can create customized giving forms and receipts for your church using your logo, graphics, and colors.
Payments made via Tithe.ly are encrypted with 256-bit TLS/SSL (transport layer security and secure socket layer, respectively) to ensure enhanced security.
Tithe.ly has a mobile app for both Android and iOS users.
Key Features
- Application management
- Campaign management
- Chord chart management
- Contribution tracking
- Donation management
- Dues management
Trial/Free Version
- Free Trial
- Free Version
Starting price
Support options
Device compatibility
Screenshots
Tracking giving history in Tithe.ly (Source)
How to choose the right free church management software
Here are some important considerations to keep in mind when looking for free church management software:
Select a software that helps you manage church memberships: Creating and managing the database of church members is one of the essential features of a church management software. Make sure that the free church software you select provides tools for capturing and tracking member data, including their basic details, family structures, and contact information. Additionally, it should allow you to add volunteers/new church members to the database, manage their respective schedules, and track their attendance during important events.
Donation management is a vital feature to have in your software: Similar to database management, church management software should also facilitate the management of donations and pledges. While looking for free church software, ensure that the systems you are reviewing enables members to make online donations and then track the history of their contributions. It should also generate automatic reports and invoices so that members can keep track of all transactions and encourage giving, whenever and wherever required.
Be sure your software can help you manage your events: While selecting free church management software, make sure that the tool allows you to set reminders for important church events, schedule rooms for specific occasions, keep track of any required inventory, and create an online calendar for all your events. Additionally, it should provide for seamless member check-in and volunteer management.
Common questions to ask when choosing free church management software
It’s important to make sure that the software you end up purchasing fits all of your church’s needs. To be sure that the systems you are reviewing have everything you need, we have listed some common questions below that you can ask each software vendor.
Does your software facilitate communication and outreach?
A church is an organization of administrators, members, and visitors. As the organization grows, you need to connect with your members. Before you select a free tool for your church, make sure that it helps you to foster communication between members and expand your outreach. This might include mass messaging tools, video conferencing facilities, access to the online directory, automatic reminders, push notifications, and calendar sharing.
How does your software cover child check-in and security?
Child check-in is an essential feature that you must look for in church management software. Make sure that the software you select allows you to record check-in and check-out times of attendees during events, print individual labels for each child, and add security tags, along with instructions, if any, to ensure safe pick-ups.
Do you offer a user-friendly dashboard?
Having an easy-to-use dashboard is imperative, especially when it comes to viewing things such as donations and physical contributions. A fully-featured dashboard provides you with all your important information at a single location and helps save time. In addition to the dashboard, the church management system must also provide tools for statistics and reporting so that you get relevant insights for making informed decisions.
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